The
images shown below represent flower heads of some species in the
Composite family (Asteraceae). They are all members of the
"Cichorieae" tribe of Asteraceae. The florets that
comprise the flower heads are all "ligulate", meaning that
they are all bisexual and fertile, and all possess a ray-like corolla, called a
"ligule". Note also that the tips of the ligules possess
5 minute teeth. True rays, as are found in species of other
Asteraceae tribes, generally have from 0-4 teeth at the tips. Most
of the northeastern North American representatives of this tribe have
yellow ligules. A majority of these species are native to Europe
and the Mediterranean countries. These plants can be found
most often in habitats that have been created by human disturbance, such
as roadsides, farm fields, vacant lots and lawns. See the list
below the images to identify the species shown here..

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Because members of
this group of species have flower heads that are so similar, especially
the ones with yellow ligules, it is helpful to use a dichotomous
key. Open the key
now.

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( Images
are not to the same scale.)

1.

...

Lapsana communis

Nipplewort

2.

Tragopogon dubius

Goatsbeard

3.

Nabalus altissimus

Tall Rattlesnake root

(Prenanthes altissima)

4.

Cichorium intybus

Chicory

5.

Picris hieracioides

Oxtongue

6.

Hypochaeris radicata

Cat's ear

7.

Sonchus arvensis

Field sow thistle

8.

Lactuca biennis

Tall blue lettuce

9.

Pilosella piloselloides

King devil

(Hieracium piloselloides)

10.

Scorzoneroides autumnalis

Fall dandelion

11.

Lactuca serriola

Prickly lettuce

12.

Hieracium venosum

Rattlesnake weed

13.

Pilosella flagellaris

Large mouse ear hawkweed

(Hieracium flagellare)

14.

Nabalus albus

White lettuce

(Prenanthes alba)

15.

Lactuca canadensis

Wild lettuce

16.

Sonchus oleraceus

Common sow thistle

17.

Hieracium murorum

Wall hawkweed

18.

Hieracium kalmii

Kalm's hawkweed

19.

Krigia virginica

Dwarf dandelion

20.

Mycelis muralis

Wall lettuce

21.

Pilosella aurantiaca

Orange hawkweed

(Hieracium aurantiacum)

22.

Crepis tectorum

Narrow-leaved hawksbeard

23.

Hieracium paniculatum

Panicled hawkweed

24.

Taraxacum officinale

Common dandelion

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